Wednesday 11 September 2013 07.45 EDT
First published on Wednesday 11 September 2013 07.45 EDT

London assembly member Jenny Jones said the mayor of London was ignoring boroughs, fire authorities and the views of Londoners who oppose proposed cuts to fire services in the capital.

Johnson plans the closure of 10 fire stations, the withdrawal of 14 fire engines and scrapping 552 firefighter jobs as part of plans to save £28.8m. His proposals were narrowly rejected in a vote by the London fire brigade's governing body but the mayor had the final say.

Speaking at the mayor's question time at City Hall Jones said: "As part of your election platform in 2008 you said you would work with boroughs and listen to their views but you are ignoring the borough and fire authorities, and the views of 94% of Londoners who oppose cuts just so you can reduce council tax by 1%."

Johnson describes Jones' council tax comments as "complete rubbish". He said: "Sometimes when you are elected to office you have to take difficult, unpopular decisions that can be misconstrued by others who want to take party political advantage out of it."

He added that he was trying to modernise the fire service so they can continue their "fantastic work".

Eight London local authorities wrote a letter to secretary of state Eric Pickles earlier this month urging him to revoke Johnson's decision, threatening a judicial review in a bid to save local fire services.

When questioned at City Hall, Johnson said that fatalities had been going down in the capital and he would give no new time to discussions London Assembly member Stephen Knight said were underway on alternatives to the cuts.

Johnson said: "It is wrong to stop the processes of government because people fail to do it in the massive time scale allotted."

Johnson was then asked whether it would be wrong to see a fire station close if an additional week could save it? He replied: "It would be poor administration to govern in that way. I am grateful to all members of assembly who have contributed to these discussions. No viable plans have been presented."

Johnson was interrupted throughout questioning by members of the public gallery made up of fire services employees. He said: "As we have seen this morning this is an emotive issue and I want Londoners to know it is not a decision I have taken easily or lightly. I have been over it again and again with officials and we have discussed it exhaustively. I would only be doing this if [I] thought [it would be] a credible defendable way to improve fire cover."